When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
It's only five inches, but I really prefer the proportions of the Alpine Grey SWB vehicle.
Well, in that case I’d rather just buy an E-class. With SWB, they are essentially “almost” the same car nowadays. The S no longer offers many unique parts or components compared to the S; there are some unique elements but not that many compared to previous generations. E have many of the same parts/components, and sometimes even better cabin quality when comparing some model years. What makes the S special is the longer wheelbase and heavier weight driving like a nice boat. SWB S to me is just an E today. It was very different in the past, but not anymore. I may actually prefer the E for some model years in that case.
The car doesn't look right in the SWB IMO, really makes it look like an E Class.
Ya maybe that is why SWB was discontinued in North America plus maybe that was part of why the EQS failed, the short hood makes it look awkward (story for another time I guess).
That said, for those who want S-Class amenities in a smaller size (SWB), it might make sense, granted the RWS in the S-Class LWB might had helped a lot anyways assuming the maneuverability was the only concern.
Well, in that case I’d rather just buy an E-class. With SWB, they are essentially “almost” the same car nowadays. The S no longer offers many unique parts or components compared to the S; there are some unique elements but not that many compared to previous generations. E have many of the same parts/components, and sometimes even better cabin quality when comparing some model years. What makes the S special is the longer wheelbase and heavier weight driving like a nice boat. SWB S to me is just an E today. It was very different in the past, but not anymore. I may actually prefer the E for some model years in that case.
The E-class is 194 inches in length, the SWB S-class is 204, whereas as the LWB is 209. The ten inch difference for the E-class from the SWB would be much more noticeable than the 5 inches between the S-class models. As someone who rarely has anyone in the backseat, the river barge feel of the LWB in order to coddle the non-existent rear passengers, is something I would prefer do without. The car IS available. Just not imported here.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
If this new W223 was offered as an EV, I would probably get one. Overall, it seems like a magnificent car. That said, watching the Autotrader video, I could not help but burst out laughing when the fellow had multiple occasions when the door handles would not pop out. The more things change……….
IF it were available as a full EV, I would try to ignore what I consider to be the insanely gauche and horribly excessive placement of the 3-pointed star logos all over the exterior lighting and grille. We can only hope that some enterprising soul out there somewhere is already tooling up—or possibly contracting with the OEM supplier—to produce absolutely perfect aftermarket grilles & tail lights, similar to those on previous, traditionally designed MB models. Probably way too difficult to even think about fixing the headlights.
The whole car exudes class & sophistication, until you see all the stars, which really diminish the effect. How difficult would it have been for MB to offer a “Logo Package” as an OPTION, so those who want it (read China) could have it, while others, (read anyone with any sense of good taste) who value understated elegance, could have their MB in the traditional, lightly monogrammed version? The colossal logo overload REALLY is in poor taste. All of this, of course, is my personal opinion.
The E-class is 194 inches in length, the SWB S-class is 204, whereas as the LWB is 209. The ten inch difference for the E-class from the SWB would be much more noticeable than the 5 inches between the S-class models. As someone who rarely has anyone in the backseat, the river barge feel of the LWB in order to coddle the non-existent rear passengers, is something I would prefer do without. The car IS available. Just not imported here.
I had both a SWB and a LWB LS460, I much preferred the LWB. The 5 inches doesn't seem like much, but it really makes the flagship car feel grand. The 5 inches in the wheelbase also improves the ride, the LWB car just feels more special, even with nobody in the backseat.
The reason to get a SWB S Class over the E Class would be all about cabin sophistication and quality
The E-class is 194 inches in length, the SWB S-class is 204, whereas as the LWB is 209. The ten inch difference for the E-class from the SWB would be much more noticeable than the 5 inches between the S-class models. As someone who rarely has anyone in the backseat, the river barge feel of the LWB in order to coddle the non-existent rear passengers, is something I would prefer do without. The car IS available. Just not imported here.
That's a great point that I never thought about. 5" adds a lot. Now that am thinking about it. my current i7 is about 5-6 inches longer than my last S W222. It feels genuinely larger/special or drives nicer as a flagship while cruising around, despite the rear-wheel steering and improved nimbleness. 5" adds a lot to the driving feel. Also, the long wheelbase version of the escalade or Navigator is longer by 10 inches only, but the SUV feels 3ft longer with just those 10 inches.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by S_W222
🤣
Now I can imagine @Streamliner’s story in that parking lot.
I have German ancestry. For decades, I was the exclusive U.S. agent for a 100+ year old German company. I traveled to Germany yearly for decades. I love the German people. BUT……..
the Germans are extremely stubborn and extremely reluctant to admit to a mistake.
The pop-out exterior door handles were a disaster when first introduced on the W223 in 2021. The fact that they STILL are not perfected and are STILL causing owners headaches is just NUTS! WHY can’t MB just quietly do away with these things that were an answer to a question that NOBODY asked? They copied Tesla. It failed. GIVE UP THE FRIGGING SHIP and go back to the PERFECT door handles used on the W222 and virtually every other MB, when there was NEVER a complaint about them. Nope, they just can’t do it, so everyone suffers.
Can we even imagine the number of man hours that dealers & customers have wasted fooling with these idiotic, overly complicated, UNNEEDED AND UNWANTED contraptions? Can we even imagine what will become of these things when vehicles are out of warranty? They had “PERFECT,” but just had to fix it.
I would like to consider the updated EQS when the lease is up on my BMW I7, but when I think of dealing with THOSE door handles again, I just can’t do it.
Last edited by Streamliner; Yesterday at 10:10 PM.
Some on this forum know I love to see our S in non-standard colors. Here's one in red - gotta say - looks good! Reminds me of the Cardinal Red Metallic on my 2018 E63.
Excerpt from article above:
Should you wish to personalize your S-Class using the new program, Mercedes will require you to work with a Made To Measure expert as a consultant for your customization needs, and expect it to take between 12 and 14 weeks longer than a non-Manufaktur model would, so long as you stick with pre-approved colors and materials.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
